This is the first of my efforts in the "12 Song Challenge" - a group I joined in early January to encourage songwriting. At the first of each month, the organizers provide a prompt. For January it was one of the scripture or themes connected to Epiphany. I chose to write about the grief around the Herod's slaughter of the innocents in Matthew 2:16-18. I focused on the reference to Jeremiah of Rachel's weeping for her children. I also picked up on God's words of hope in Jeremiah. My hope is that this could be a congregation song and prayer of hope for those who are grieving a loss. As I started writing about Rachel's grief, I chose imagery of wind and waves (of grief and tears) and tapped into the story of Jesus calming the wind and waves when his disciples were fearful in a storm in Mark 4.
Rachel’s Prayer – Robert Austell
Matthew 2:18; Jeremiah 31:15-17; Mark 4:39
Rachel’s tears: cruel channel through my skin
Comfort gone, what seemed safe lost again
Peace, my breath, my tears
Calm the sea and sky
No more cause for fear
Hope and light, please rise!
Rachel’s breath: whistling wind of the night
No more hope, dark blots out dwindling light
Peace, my breath, my tears
Calm the sea and sky
No more cause for fear
Hope and light, please rise!
God of love, God of mercy, even as we turn away
God of love and compassion, Ever dawning, hear me pray
Peace, my breath, my tears
Calm the sea and sky
No more cause for fear
Hope and light, please rise!